 |
    |
Advice for Other Kids and Families
At first I was nervous about starting the program, but after going there a couple of times you get used to it and you stay on track more.
I think it’s important to stay on top of your weight so you don’t have to deal with this your whole life. Get it over and done with now while you’re young.
Don’t give up. Do it for yourself, not for anyone else.
Don’t Get Hung Up on the Number Don’t get hung up on the number so much as what you look like. If you’re overweight, but you look in the mirror and you look fine to yourself, then that’s all that really matters. And if you’re healthy at that weight, then it doesn’t really matter either. So don’t get hung up on what the number says when you stand on the scale. It really doesn’t mean that much; it’s really just about health. If you’re in good health, and you look good to yourself, then that’s all that really matters.
Actually, after my first appointment, I came back [to the clinic] and I wasn’t even trying to lose weight— I just trying to maintain my weight. But I actually lost five pounds! I wasn’t even trying. It’s mostly from not drinking juice and exercising more. Usually I do sports, but if you can’t join a team, just play outside in your backyard and it will work just as well.
Sometimes I get rewards from my nutritionist to help me eat well and exercise. There’s a goody-bag and I get to pick something out. This week I got nail polish.
If I were another kid struggling with my weight, I would just take the doctor’s advice. That’s what I did and I lost thirteen pounds in one month. And don’t let other kids bother you about your weight, because they don’t know you.
More than anything, my advice is that you don’t need to change your whole life. Every little change you make makes a huge difference. Eat your vegetables before your starch, and you may end up eating less starch. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park on the far side of the parking lot… those little things really add up after a while. Also, nothing happens immediately. If I had given up while I was still gaining weight, I never would have gotten to the point where I was losing weight. There are so many factors that just persevering will make a difference. In terms of the way other people feel being teased or anything like that, it’s hard to just let things roll off you, but concentrate on the positive things. The families and friends of people who are overweight really understand that it’s a tough thing to struggle with. It’s just like getting over a broken ankle— you can’t just immediately walk again, and it’s a tough thing to do. The support of friends and family is important.
I think you have to feel good about yourself to feel good about anything. First, you have to have confidence in yourself. Nowadays, people form their first impression and they judge right away. I think that shouldn’t be the biggest thing, but for some people it is, like kids at school.
If anything happens, like if you gain weight, don’t give up, ever. Don’t say, “Oh no, I gained a pound. It’s never going to happen— I am never going to lose the weight ever, and my whole life is going to be horrible.” Just say, “It’s not that big a deal, and I will try harder next time.”
It was hard to find clothes at first because I was never a straight size; I was always in between. Then I came across one store near my house that carries clothes for plus size girls and I went there and it was like a dream, because I could finally find clothes. And I wasn’t even buying the biggest size. In most clothing stores, I would have to buy the biggest size and it would make me feel bad about myself, but in this store they went up to the high twenties in sizes. It was actually like I was getting one of the smaller sizes and it made me feel really good about myself.
No Matter What, You’re Beautiful Everyone should know that even if you don’t think there is anything you can do, there is. There is a way that you can better yourself. And even if you don’t think that you look the right way, or you think that others don’t like you because of how you look, it’s you that’s important. The only thing that should matter to you is you. You just need to take care of yourself and believe that you can do it, because no matter what, you’re beautiful.
It was exciting to come to the clinic. I was looking forward to trying something that would actually work, and talking to people who knew what they were talking about and would help me make the changes I wanted to make.
Don’t let what people say get to you, and don’t worry so much about what people think of you. That’s something I have a problem with, and I’ve noticed that it’s kept me from doing a lot of things. Don’t worry about what people are going to think if you say something or do something or wear certain clothes.
Try your hardest, and try not to feel bad, because it’s not like you can’t have any rice, pie, or any of that anymore. It’s okay to “cheat” once in a while, but it’s not okay to cheat all the time. I just think that you should look into the future, and if you stick with the diet, you’ll know how healthy you’re going to be in the future. Then you’re going to be really proud. But the thing is, if someone says, “Good job,” you shouldn’t go home and eat junk, because then it won’t be a good job anymore. And if you don’t eat healthy, you could have heart problems and other problems, like not being able to breathe.
Do it for yourself and not for anyone else, because I’ve been trying to do it for other people for years and it just ends up backfiring. Just do it for yourself.
“Baby, you’re beautiful.” Keep telling yourself that every day in the mirror, keep trying to listen to what other people say, and don’t get too confused. Just keep telling yourself you’re beautiful, and that’s all that matters and you’ll make yourself feel better. You come before anyone else.
If you feel that you are overweight, don’t feel bad when you can’t keep up with everyone else. Tell your mom and dad; don’t keep it inside. Tell them and they will help you; that’s what helped me to eat healthier. And if you're getting teased, don’t worry about it; talk to your mom and dad and they will help you.
One time in fifth grade this lady was talking about peanuts. She said they were full of fat, and I said, “Oh, that’s me—” I made a joke about myself. It helps me to keep my sense of humor.
|
 |
Copyright © 2005, Children's
Hospital Boston Department of Psychiatry. All Rights Reserved. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. July 10, 2005 |
 |